Player Discussion David Backes

[patty59]

Backes is a C not a RW. Can he play RW, sure, but he has been ineffective playing with Krejci. In fact, that whole line about 30 games in has done squat. It's time to play Backes at C and if it's on the 3rd line it shouldn't matter. If Pittsburgh can have Crosby, Malkin, and Kessel on different lines, then I don't see why we question going with Bergeron, Krejci, and Backes down the middle. It will at least add some depth to the team with Backes on the 3rd line which will be better than the current 3rd line.

Because they have no ****ing wingers.

What's that look like then? Hayes-Krejci-Schaller/Czarnick/some other AHL plug?

 

[BNHL]

Backes is a C not a RW. Can he play RW, sure, but he has been ineffective playing with Krejci. In fact, that whole line about 30 games in has done squat. It's time to play Backes at C and if it's on the 3rd line it shouldn't matter. If Pittsburgh can have Crosby, Malkin, and Kessel on different lines, then I don't see why we question going with Bergeron, Krejci, and Backes down the middle. It will at least add some depth to the team with Backes on the 3rd line which will be better than the current 3rd line.

Spooner takes crap for underproducing at wing but Backes gets excused.

 

[CharasLazyWrister]

Spooner takes crap for underproducing at wing but Backes gets excused.

Which board have you been on?

The lines need to get broken up. Even the top line. That much is obvious. Even if Pasta's individual goal tallies suffer playing without Marchy or Bergy, it's just for the good of team to have some offensive firepower outside of one line.

 

[Dr Quincy]

Ok player.

Not worth $6m.

Will regret this deal before we get to the end of it.

Leadership is overrated.

 

[neelynugs]

Ok player.

Not worth $6m.

Will regret this deal before we get to the end of it.

Leadership is overrated.

i see captain obvious just showed up. well done.

 

[DKH]

i see captain obvious just showed up. well done.

When Backes gets point 40 we are going to party like it's 1999

 

[Dr Quincy]

When Backes gets point 40 we are going to party like it's 1999

Prince recorded that song in 1983. Hopefully it won't take Backes 16 years to get to 40.

Don't know if you checked in at HFL today but I've got an updated roster file and editor so we should be starting the season soon.

 

[Absurdity]

Because they have no ****ing wingers.

What's that look like then? Hayes-Krejci-Schaller/Czarnick/some other AHL plug?

Vatrano is coming back soon. Heinen, DeBrusk, and Cehlarik are options on the wings. The Bruins could always package Spooner for a winger which is what rumors have been saying for the past week. Next year it may be a reality when prospects like Bjork and Senyshyn may make the team.

Spooner takes crap for underproducing at wing but Backes gets excused.

I have never given Spooner crap for not producing at wing. In fact, I have been vocal about Claude calling out Spooner for not producing while he plays him at wing instead of his natural position, center.

 

[BNHL]

Which board have you been on?

The lines need to get broken up. Even the top line. That much is obvious. Even if Pasta's individual goal tallies suffer playing without Marchy or Bergy, it's just for the good of team to have some offensive firepower outside of one line.

I thought Backes and Krejci were just a "bad fit" and Spooner doesn't try hard enough? Do I really have to quote them?

 

[BNHL]

Vatrano is coming back soon. Heinen, DeBrusk, and Cehlarik are options on the wings. The Bruins could always package Spooner for a winger which is what rumors have been saying for the past week. Next year it may be a reality when prospects like Bjork and Senyshyn may make the team.

I have never given Spooner crap for not producing at wing. In fact, I have been vocal about Claude calling out Spooner for not producing while he plays him at wing instead of his natural position, center.

Not pointing out you,but it's been a common theme on this thread and the Spooner thread.

 

[HumBucker]

Vatrano is coming back soon. Heinen, DeBrusk, and Cehlarik are options on the wings. The Bruins could always package Spooner for a winger which is what rumors have been saying for the past week. Next year it may be a reality when prospects like Bjork and Senyshyn may make the team.

Vatrano MAY be on the verge of establishing himself as an NHL talent. We'll see. I think he will. The others are still AHLers. If Backes moves to 3rd line C, that leaves 1/3 of the top 6 being AHLers or bubble players - not gonna cut it.

 

[Absurdity]

Vatrano MAY be on the verge of establishing himself as an NHL talent. We'll see. I think he will. The others are still AHLers. If Backes moves to 3rd line C, that leaves 1/3 of the top 6 being AHLers or bubble players - not gonna cut it.

We'll have to see how well Backes plays alongside Marchand and Bergeron. We can only hope he shows more on that line than he has playing next to Krejci because it also allows Spooner to play #3C and hopefully be productive like he has been in the past. If Backes doesn't jell with Marchand and Bergeron, and the Bruins move Backes to #3C, Spooner most likely gets traded for a winger. Even then, we know Marchand and Bergeron can play with almost anyone and produce, Connolly last season. Marchand - Bergeron - Heinen looked alright the few games they played with each other. I think the Bruins will be fine going in either direction as long as they get the most from their lines, which hasn't been the case this season.

 

[Pia8988]

ok,
season....2016-17
clause....nmc
cap hit....$6,000,000
signing Bonuses....$3,000,000
salary....$8,000,000
total potential ....11,000,000
(1 million less then Crosby's total of 12)

Sid, 8.7 caphit, no bonuses, salary 12 million
Hayes 2.3 cap hit, no bonuses, salary 2 million
Hayes and Backes are pretty close to what Sid makes on the cap hit
that in itself is kinda scary, which matters to the people who buy tickets and merchandise to watch the return

Why do you keep bringing up salary. It doesn't matter at all. The only number that matters to the Bruins is cap hit. Also your not doing the math right. The salary includes the bonus. 3 million + 5 million. That just matters when the money gets paid out. Bonuses come at the beginning of the year and are a part of the AAV calculations and NHL salary. Performance bonuses are different and Backes doesn't have any. He will make 8 million this season but only count 6 against the cap which is all that is important for Boston.

That's why Bernier was valuable to the Ducks. His cap hit is 4.15 million, but Toronto paid out his salary bonus, thus a budget team like the ducks are only the hook for 2.15 million of his 4.15 million cap hit.

Salaries matter for budget teams. Boston is not a budget team. Meaningless argument that wasn't even correct to begin with.

As for saying Crosby makes the same as Backes + Hayes. Also a pointless arguement.

 

[smithformeragent]

I made the comparison to Marty LaPointe earlier in the week and the stats project as such.

I don't mind the player. I want to like him.
I don't like the value.
It's nearly impossible to get better than average value in free agency.

I'm really concerned with this contract as it moves into the later stages.

 

[BadBruins]

I really thought he was going to be used more like Bergeron lite. Less like an aging Lucic.

The last 4 years he's averaged 52.7% in the faceoff circle and just under 2 minutes a game shorthanded. (That's over 4400 FO attempts). To me, those are two of the main things that made him such a highly sought after player. Basically removed that from his game all together by putting him on Krejci's wing. If all they wanted was a big body who could bump and grind, Brouwer or a few other names could have given you the exact same thing for less.

Really think he'd be better off centering his own line and just be secondary scoring behind Bergeron/Krejci, similar to the way Soderberg or Spooner were in that 3 C spot. Just with a much better all around game. You take 20 goals/45 points if he's giving you that physical all around performance at C. Not so much as a top line scoring winger loaded with PP time.

 

[RedeyeRocketeer]

I made the comparison to Marty LaPointe earlier in the week and the stats project as such.

I don't mind the player. I want to like him.
I don't like the value.
It's nearly impossible to get better than average value in free agency.

I'm really concerned with this contract as it moves into the later stages.

Forget about later stages, I'm worried about early 2018! That's not so far off!

 

[Caper Bruins fan]

I really thought he was going to be used more like Bergeron lite. Less like an aging Lucic.

The last 4 years he's averaged 52.7% in the faceoff circle and just under 2 minutes a game shorthanded. (That's over 4400 FO attempts). To me, those are two of the main things that made him such a highly sought after player. Basically removed that from his game all together by putting him on Krejci's wing. If all they wanted was a big body who could bump and grind, Brouwer or a few other names could have given you the exact same thing for less.

Really think he'd be better off centering his own line and just be secondary scoring behind Bergeron/Krejci, similar to the way Soderberg or Spooner were in that 3 C spot. Just with a much better all around game. You take 20 goals/45 points if he's giving you that physical all around performance at C. Not so much as a top line scoring winger loaded with PP time.

I hope Vatrano can excel so the Bruins can use him in the top 6 . Put Backes with Czarnik and that could be the makings of a good 3rd line .

 

[Oates2Neely]

I really thought he was going to be used more like Bergeron lite. Less like an aging Lucic.

The last 4 years he's averaged 52.7% in the faceoff circle and just under 2 minutes a game shorthanded. (That's over 4400 FO attempts). To me, those are two of the main things that made him such a highly sought after player. Basically removed that from his game all together by putting him on Krejci's wing. If all they wanted was a big body who could bump and grind, Brouwer or a few other names could have given you the exact same thing for less.

Really think he'd be better off centering his own line and just be secondary scoring behind Bergeron/Krejci, similar to the way Soderberg or Spooner were in that 3 C spot. Just with a much better all around game. You take 20 goals/45 points if he's giving you that physical all around performance at C. Not so much as a top line scoring winger loaded with PP time.

I agree. His value is at center. However he isn't capable of carrying a line offensively and will need at least one creative winger flanking him in order to be affective in the offensive zone.

 

[geriszu]

I'm satisfied with the style of DB's play.
+ he would be warrior in PO.

 

[chizzler]

There is four lines that need a center. We have four centers. Backes needs to be playing center. Not feeling it watching him on wing. why does the fourth line only need to grind and check. Put the top line in against the other teams top line. It's a waste of a line to just ice defensive forwards.

 

[JOKER 192]

There is four lines that need a center. We have four centers. Backes needs to be playing center. Not feeling it watching him on wing. why does the fourth line only need to grind and check. Put the top line in against the other teams top line. It's a waste of a line to just ice defensive forwards.

Actually the bruins have 10 centers

Acciari
Bergy
Czarnik
DK
Morre
Nash
Schaller
Spooner
Vatrano
Backes


This is to me, what is wrong with the Bruins offence. Way to many players playing out of their natural position and are struggling at it. Some are doing better at it than others but nobody is knocking t out of park.

 

[RussellmaniaKW]

any word on Backes? He's been pretty good lately, really hope this is just a minor concussion.

 

[22Brad Park]

any word on backes? He's been pretty good lately, really hope this is just a minor concussion.

Adam McQuaid should be the captain..All man.Had his back.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

any word on Backes? He's been pretty good lately, really hope this is just a minor concussion.

God damn, I hope he's alright. Worried about him right now.

 

[Oates2Neely]

Backes scoring at a pace of 24g 24a this season